The hapless leftie will reportedly make more appearances on television, and strategists believe his unvarnished approach could help close the yawning double-digit gap with the Conservatives, a party source confirmed.

Labour has suffered two stinging by-election results in recent weeks, slumping from second to fourth in Sleaford and North Hykeham, behind Ukip and the Liberal Democrats.

That was just seven days after its candidate lost his deposit in Richmond Park, as they were side-lined in the battle between the Tories and the Lib Dems.

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Last weekend, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott recently appeared to support free movement of EU citizens, saying it was "inextricably linked" to access to the European single market, which Labour is demanding.

But Manchester mayoral candidate Andy Burnham has spoken of the need to end free movement, which he says has had a disproportionate impact on northern de-industrialised communities.

Labour's election co-ordinator Jon Trickett said the party was already placing itself on a war footing in expectation of a snap general election in 2017.